Tragic John Knotts will forever remain in the place he loved most, as loved ones gathered to scatter his ashes off the coast of his Thai paradise.

The 49-year-old plunged 300ft to his death when he fell from an apartment block in the beach resort of Pattaya.

And now friends and family have come together to say their final goodbyes. John was was cremated before Thai partner Kalaya Napier scattered his ashes off the east coast of the island.

John, of Blaydon, Gateshead, suffered fatal injuries when he fell from an apartment at the Sky Beach Condominium near the resort’s Naklua Road.

He had been visiting Thailand for the past 20 years before he met Ms Napier.

Paying tribute to her partner, the 47-year-old said: “I loved him and he wanted to stay in Thailand.

“I would do anything for him because I loved him. He was a romantic guy and I was happy.”

John Knotts

Lifelong friend John Westgarth said his pal had became “infatuated” with the country and the culture and would often visit up to five times a year despite being on benefits.

He said: “It goes back 10 years ago when John first went on holiday to Thailand. He became infatuated with the place. He saw the Thai culture and Pattaya as a way of life.

“He couldn’t go back enough times. He was on benefits but any money he got he used to go back to Thailand. He would arrange to go there three or four times and last year he went five times in one year.”

He added: “He was a likeable character. Since he started to go to Thailand, everything centred around the country.

“He wouldn’t admit to being addicted but he was addicted to the place. He was 10 days over his visa.

“He lost all interest in England. He was there and he didn’t want to be anywhere else.”

A foreign office spokesperson said: “We can confirm the death of a British National in Thailand. We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”